Each story has a slightly different approach to our topic. They are as follows:

1. Two Kinds, by Amy Tan
2. The Lesson, by Toni Cade Bambara
3. On the Rainy River, by Tim O’Brien

If you were absent, you will need to get a copy of the story from me, unless linked.

“Two Kinds” Amy Tan

Like all the stories in the book, "Two Kinds" is concerned with the complex relationships between mothers and daughters.

1. List adjectives that describe the narrator, Jing-Mei?
2. Describe the relationship between Jing-Mei and her mother?
3. Create a list of pros and cons for the mother.  In other words, list ways mom might be a little overbearing and other ways mom is trying to be a good mom.  Use specific examples.
4. How does the narrator envision herself in paragraph 9?
5. When the narrator looks in the mirror, she discovers “the prodigy side,” a face she had never seen before.  What do you think she is discovering? (19)
6. How do you think the events of the story influenced the narrators identity?
7. Think of an embarrassing moment in your life or an instance of someone controlling how you should be.  How did that moment(s) affect you?

“The Lesson”  ToniCade Bambara

Toni Cade Bambara

1. On page 4, why does the narrator feel ashamed?
2. On page 5, the narrator says “And I’m jealous and want to hit her. Maybe not, but I sure want to punch somebody in the mouth.” What does she mean?
3. According to Miss Moore, what defines you? What does she think you have to do? (2nd to last graph on 5)
4. What will the narrator be thinking about when she is alone at the end?
5. What is the lesson?
6. Is Miss Moore a good teacher? Explain

“On the Rainy River” Tim O’brien

The Rainy River in Minnesota

1. Explain the financial metaphor about courage that O’Brien uses on the bottom of page 43 and top of 44. You might have to look up some of the terms.
2. Describe the importance of the narrator’s job at the meatpacking plant (p.46)?
3. What are the narrator’s choices?
4. What “seemed so impossible and terrible and sad”? (p. 54)
5. What influences the narrator? Can he escape his identity?
6. Explain the last paragraph of the story, especially the last two sentences.

Related posts:

1. Identity Who are you? Do you Know? This unit is designed...
2. Isolation–Poe and other readings What happens when a person is alone for long periods...
3. Catcher in the Rye Intro To wrap up the unit on identity, we will be...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Who are you? Do you Know? This unit is designed to find the answers to these questions (well, maybe). We are all products of our experiences. The things we encounter everyday in some way shape our personality. Rarely, however, do we stop and think about our own nature. By studying a variety of materials, the goal is to identify our personality and the influences that helped shape it. Also, we need to recognize that the decisions we make are a result of those experiences.

What does Holden’s red hunting hat have to do with identity?  This will make sense later, don’t worry.

To help you think about your own Identity, complete the following “Me Map” ( Me Map)  if you did not get one in class.

This unit on identity will encourage you to think about yourself and how the world around you influences you by reading a variety of materials (essay, poetry, short story, novel). This will focus on students—how do they become who they are and how do they end up making decisions.

Who am I?

How did it become who I am?

Think about how these authors explore their identities in relation to others:

“It’s Hard Enough Being Me”

It\'s Hard Enough Being Me

Questions about Hard Enough

1. Did the author’s identity change in college? How so?
2. What do people expect of her (at college)?
3. What is the contradiction she expresses with her situation? (3rd paragraph)
4. Why was learning in college difficult for her? (explain paragraph 10)
5. The author states it was difficult when she moved to New York to define herself as “Latina.” Do you think it is good, bad, or some of each to be forced to define oneself in terms of ethnicity?
6. What conclusion does the author draw at the end about her identity?

“For the white person who wants to know how to be my friend”

by Pat Parker

the first thing you do is to forget that i’m Black.
Second, you must never forget that i’m Black.

You should be able to dig Aretha,
but don’t play here every time i come over.
An if you decide to play Beethoven-don’t tell me
his life story. They make us take music appreciation too.

Eat soul food if you like it, but don’t expect me
to locate your restaurants
of cook it for you.

And if some Black person insults you,
mugs you, rapes your sister, rapes you,
rips your house or is just being an ass-
please do not apologize to me
for wanting to do them bodily harm.
It makes me wonder if you’re foolish.

And even if you really believe Blacks are better lovers than
whites-don’t tell me. I start thinking of charging stud fees.

In other words-if you really want to be my friend-don’t
make a labor of it. I’m lazy. Remember.

-from Making Face, Make Soul
edited by Gloria Anzaldua
( For the White Person Who Wants to Be My Friend)

San Francisco: Aunt Lute Foundation Books, 1990.

Identity

The act of being oneself.

Related posts:

1. The short stories and identity We will be reading three short stories that all have...
2. Catcher in the Rye Intro To wrap up the unit on identity, we will be...
3. Independent Novel Study As the name implies, independent study will involve you reading...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.